Dairygold to power plants with solar energy from Cork grain supplier's farm

Michael Quirke developed the solar farm on his farmland in Aghada 2022.

Dairygold's head of sustainability Orlaith Tynan, chairman Sean O’ Brien, supplier Michael Quirk, and interim CEO Michael Harte. Picture: Gerard McCarthy

Dairygold has become the first dairy processor in Ireland to sign a corporate power purchase agreement with one of its own farmer members.

The agreement between Dairygold and local grain supplier Michael Quirk will see Dairygold purchase 5,000 MWh per year of renewable solar energy from Lurrig Solar Farm, located on Mr Quirk's farm in Aghada, Co Cork, to provide electricity for Dairygold’s processing operations.